Horse Kissing Spines: Diagnosis and Welfare Management

Impingement of overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines) causes chronic back pain in horses, with diagnosis and treatment critical for welfare.

Key Facts

Kissing spines - where spinous processes of thoracic vertebrae touch or overlap - affect an estimated 39% of sport horses
Many horses with radiographic kissing spines show no clinical signs, complicating diagnosis and management decisions
Clinical signs include back pain on palpation, resistance to saddling, poor performance, and behavioral problems during riding
Treatment options include corticosteroid injections, surgical resection of impinging processes, and rehabilitation exercise programs
Poorly fitting saddles are a major contributing factor to kissing spine pain and can cause significant ongoing damage

Welfare Considerations

Kissing spines represent a significant source of chronic pain in performance horses that is frequently misattributed to behavioral problems or training resistance. Horses punished for pain responses suffer compounded welfare harm. Regular back palpation by trained professionals and saddle fit assessment by qualified saddlers are welfare essentials for ridden horses. Treatment must be followed by appropriate rehabilitation - returning horses to work too quickly or with the same saddle fit problems allows pain to recur.

What You Can Do

Have your horse's back assessed by a veterinarian if they show any reluctance during tacking up or riding
Commission a saddle fit assessment from a Society of Master Saddlers-qualified fitter
Consider thermography or nuclear scintigraphy for horses with subtle but persistent performance changes
Implement rehabilitation programs recommended by equine physiotherapists after kissing spine treatment
Advocate against using punishment to address behavior problems in horses without first ruling out pain